textproduct: Quad Cities

KEY MESSAGES

- Below normal temperatures will prevail through the remainder of the work week, with very cold nights remaining. This weekend and beyond, we will see a steady increase in temperatures, bringing us closer to seasonal norms.

- Dry weather will remain through much of the extended forecast, with low-end precipitation chances late in the weekend into next week.

SHORT TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/

Issued at 223 AM CST Tue Jan 27 2026

Clipper tracks through the Great Lakes Region today, dragging a cold front through the area this morning. Plenty of dry air remains over the area, resulting in a largely dry frontal passage. As was hinted in the last forecast package, some flurries cannot be ruled out this morning, especially in our north. Overnight obs show some light snow and/or flurries being seen just north of our area, largely focused along the passing cold front. Otherwise, we will remain largely dry. Pressure gradient tightens over the area, which will allow for a continuation of gusty winds as the system passes, with daytime mixing prolonging the winds. We can expect gusty northwesterly winds through the day, with gusts upwards to 30-35 mph at times. There will be a low chance for some shallow blowing/drifting snow, largely south of the Interstate 80 corridor where we see the freshest snowpack. Although, confidence is low on much of an impact, as the gusty winds seen through the night didn't seem to cause any issues on the roads. Today's temperatures will be in the mid teens for most, with some folks south of Interstate 80 seeing around 20. Although, the gusty winds will make it feel quite unpleasant still. Tonight, cold advection will allow for very cold air to filter into the area again, bringing widespread single digits to low negatives in our north. Otherwise, we will see some passing clouds and light westerly winds.

LONG TERM /WEDNESDAY THROUGH MONDAY/

Issued at 223 AM CST Tue Jan 27 2026

The remainder of the week will feature upper level northwesterly flow, with llvls also ushering in northwest flow. These conditions will result in an extended period of cold and dry weather, keeping temperatures below seasonal norms. Daytime temperatures will largely remain in the teens through the week, with nighttime temperatures being in the low single digits to negatives. Wednesday will be the "warmest" day of the week, which will be a welcomed relief to the bitter cold, with temperatures in the 20s along/south of Interstate 80 and mid-upper teens north. Winds will be relatively light through the nights, which will limit how cold the wind chills get. Granted, we are still going to see nighttime wind chills in the negative single digits/teens. Thursday night currently looks to be the coldest night of the stretch, which does introduce wind chills nearing headline criteria. Will have have to continue to monitor for the potential. Otherwise, we will see systems passing near or through the area, but lacking moisture will help keep us dry. Rather, we can expect passing clouds and seasonal breeziness during the days.

This weekend, we start to see a bit of a change in the pattern, which will bring more pleasant conditions than we have seen. Upper level pattern becomes relatively active through the weekend and into next week, with a few waves that we have our eyes on. While we will remain largely dry, aside from a few low-end chances for precipitation, these waves will induce southwesterly flow over the region. What does this mean? Well, this will allow warm advection to pump into the area, bringing temperatures back to seasonal norms. Normals during this time of the year are in the upper 20s (north) to low 30s (south). Thus, a welcome change from the bitter cold temperatures experienced over the last week. We will also see better moisture work into the region, resulting in increasing PoPs late in the weekend and into next week.

AVIATION /12Z TAFS THROUGH 12Z WEDNESDAY/

Issued at 507 AM CST Tue Jan 27 2026

A cold front is quickly passing through eastern Iowa and Illinois early this morning, and will be through all except for BRL by 12Z. A quick transition to northwest winds will be seen with the front, with mainly clear skies. Winds will increase behind the front, with sustained wind around 15 kts, and gusts to 25 kts...possibly 30 at times today. By early evening, winds will decrease, and remain west/northwest through tonight.

DVN WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

IA...None. IL...None. MO...None.